Why the Red Wings might be interested in him: They are interested in him. He is one of the players they have been scouting. He would strengthen their top-four and bring some of the gritty qualities they lost when Brad Stuart left for San Jose. The Red Wings have nine defensemen, but they aren’t sure how long Kyle Quincey (fractured cheek bone) will be out or if Carlo Colaiacovo, out since Jan. 21 with a shoulder injury, can return and secure a spot in the lineup. The Oilers are hoping to re-sign Smid.

What it might take to get him: Second-round pick and/or second-tier prospect.

Notable: Anaheim selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2004 entry draft. The Ducks traded him to the Oilers in 2006, along with Joffrey Lupul, a first-round pick and conditional first- and second-round picks, for Chris Pronger. … He has not appeared in an NHL playoff game.

Is it important for the Red Wings to get a strong defensive defenseman like Smid? Or should they try to acquire a more dynamic puck-moving defenseman? Or are they set on defense and should just concentrate their resources on getting a goal-scoring winger?